Corvette Small Block V-8s: A Brief History

Even though the first Corvettes started with the Blue Flame in-line six-cylinder engine as the standard powerplant, the V-8, offered since 1955, has become the car's iconic means of motivation. Today, as part of the car's ongoing 60th anniversary celebrations, GM has released a short history of the Corvette V-8s.

Ranging in power from 195 horsepower in that first 4.3-liter unit to 638 horsepower in the supercharged LS9 under the see-through hood of the current ZR1, the "small block" V-8 architecture has played a role in every generation of Corvette. Corvette says that upon introduction of the first V-8 in 1955, 99 percent of orders opted for the eight-pot engine.

According to Chevy, these are the most significant engines in the Corvette's small-block repertoire--in the company's own words:

1957 283 “Fuelie” – Almost 30 years before the widespread adoption of fuel injection, the Corvette offered it on the newly enlarged 283-cubic-inch small-block, resulting in 283 horsepower – and the one-horsepower-per-cubic-inch benchmark that is still considered a noteworthy performance achievement for modern engines.

1969 350 – The small-block’s displacement grew throughout the Fifties and Sixties, but when it settled at the 350-cubic-inch mark in 1969, an icon was born. Many enthusiasts equate the small-block with the classic 350, which remained the Corvette’s standard engine through 1996.

1985 “L98” Tuned Port Injection – Although electronically controlled fuel injection was introduced on the Corvette in 1981 (the early “Fuelie” engine featured mechanical fuel injection), it was the 1985 introduction of the L98-code engine and its Tuned Port Injection system that launched the modern era of performance. Its basic port-injection design is used on the 2013 Corvette and almost every other gas-powered vehicle sold in America.

1997 LS1 – The third generation of the small-block debuted in the C5 Corvette. Completely redesigned, it introduced a new aluminum “deep skirt” cylinder block, high-flow aluminum cylinder heads and more – all while retaining the basic 4.4-inch bore-center design of the original small block.

2006 LS7 – Co-developed with the C6.R racing program, it is the highest-performance naturally aspirated production small-block in Corvette history, rated at 505 hp, with a 7,000-rpm redline. It was introduced in the C6 Corvette Z06 and is also included with the 2013 427 Convertible Collector Edition. It is hand-built at GM’s Performance Build Center near Detroit.

2009 LS9 Supercharged – It’s the most powerful automotive production engine ever from Chevrolet and its 638 supercharged horses help push the Corvette ZR1 to a top speed of 205 mph. Like the LS7 engine, it is built by hand at the Performance Build Center.

We ask you: Which is your favorite? Are you a fan of the modern gear, or do you have a nostalgic lust for the small blocks of yesteryear?